A winner of the Hawthorne Derby at 3, Minor Wisdom commenced his 4-year-old season with an easy win at Canterbury last year. A homebred, Minor Wisdom went on to win the Cardinal Stakes at Arlington Park and followed that up with two near-miss efforts in the John Henry and Kentucky Cup Mile. After finishing a non-threatening ninth in the Bradley Stakes at Fair Grounds, the horse was given a five-month freshening.

Trainer Richie Scherer has brought Minor Wisdom back with a steady series of drills over the Arlington surface which indicate he should be ready to fire off the bench in the John Bullit, a 1 1/16-mile race on turf. The trainer maintains a division at Canterbury under the direction of his brother, Gary Scherer, which should help ensure a comfortable ship for Minor Wisdom. Five-time leading rider Luis Quinonez, who visits Canterbury during the Prairie Meadows thoroughbred hiatus, has been engaged to ride.

Trainer Wayne Catalano sends Ivars Big Peaceful to the John Bullit after two non- threatening efforts on the turf in Chicago. A winner of the Restoration Stakes at Monmouth last summer, Ivars Big Peaceful's last win came in an optional claiming event at Gulfstream.

Smoky Cinder makes the journey to Canterbury from Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg. The 7-year-old Smokey Cinder has won a number of minor stakes in Canada at sprint and route distances but is winless in two starts over grass.

Locally based Turk Flyer has demonstrated an affinity for the Canterbury turf. A close third in last year's John Bullit, he signaled his readiness with an impressive win over Canterbury allowance foes two weeks ago.